The Washington critic., 1887-02-05


of ride home behind the pretty horses,
almost rs grand as IL he had owned
them himself
Sometimes they would go on Friday
afternoon and drive around by the way
OF Elm Crossing, and take Amy home
from school then Lewis had Saturday
at home.
Weeks passed. ard the orchard and
garden were cleared. and the fruit
safely stored The pears and grapes
were neatly picked and carried In; even
Hannah had TO own that they could not
well do without Johns boy and
Lewis was contentcd and happy and
thought his kind employer "a prince"
What his sister Alice thought she did
not say.
Late in the fall Lewis was taking In
the last Of the garden vegetables when
boy from town stopped on his way
home from Beach woods
"Say, Lew, you must be green one
to stay out here on this poky old farm,
when we are having such lots of fun In
town"
"Poky old farm why this farm Is
real nice, and Mr.. John is just splen.
did, and his mother just look Mt my
mi,tens--shc knit them, and now she
Is knitting some nice red stockings for
me 10 carry home for Katie at Christ.
mas
"Oh! you're a soft one-say; did
you know that Coates horse was stolen
last night?"
mo! do you mean II ~
well, 1t was all the same, and
there's two special police officers down
nj Cragg's now"
Cant they catch the thieves ?"
They can tell better story after they
try. A small chap came on here about
a week ago and put up at I'yler's, said
that he was detective, he ain't pulling
IN the same team with them other
f,llors, and It's my opinion that he
thinks more of having good time
than of catching rOgues."
How did he know week ago
about horse thieves when Coates horse
was stolen only last night"
"Wcll, you see there have been other
breaks; they bi okn into store over in
Cornwall last week, and few nights
ago money was lost from Stewards
safe, and Tyler says some other things
are missing, too; he's clerk there, you
| knew.
at does seem as though they might
catch them If they tried
Suppose you try If you think It is
so easy; there's $500 reward, more
money than you can earn digging
turnips.'
After the boy had gone Lewis re.
turned to his work, but his mind was
full Of what he had just heard; John
was away to attend a county conven.
tiop, and would not be home until the
night. And in spite of his determined
bravery n queer feeling would come
over him as he thought of the coming
night.
"Oh, nonsense, I'm no coward, but
| will hurry through this and get every.
thing done before dark" Finally all
was done, and he was in the stable
| pulling down the hay in Dicks manger
when he heard some one call Lewis,
where are you p
Here Why, Wade Tyler what
are you out here for ?"
| Come out to see the boss; 90 In the
house and send him out, will your
''lIo isn't there, he's gone over to
morrow night
|
| to buy a span of horses, and told him
that Preston's bays were the finest in
the country; so we've driven over to
see them
"Oh sir lie wouldn't sell Dick and
Jerry. Oh, couldn't have them 70. "
Tyler laughed scornfully us he turned
to the man who had come with him,
and said: I'VE will have look at them
any how"
SO saying they went into the barn,
and examined the horses sclosely-prais-
ing Lewis for the good care he had
given them. They also spoke of the
nice convenient barn, asked To see the
harness room and spent some time
looking around. As they were leaving
Tyler said
"Do you always lock your barn {?
There are horse thieves around"
ooh, yes, there is Il spring lock on
the stable door, and we fasten II every
night
"That's right, boy, keep things
snug, and tell Mr.. Preston that We will
be over again Saturday. Here's a
quarter for you, my boy we'll see you
| later"
With n laugh at their own wit they
drove Off, and Lewis fastened the sta.
bic door and went into the house, think.
ing TO himself, "Now that quarter will
buy Katie doll and Amy will dress it
all ready for Christmas"
| "llave you fastened everything Sc.
curGly? It's going to be q rough night,
IT'S my opinion; it'll storm before morn
ing"
Everything is done just as John
told me, sir.
Wood and water brought in''
"Well, you do very we'll for a boy.
When John comes home you shall
have treat Is your sister at homer"
"Ycs, sir, schools out last week"
IF II Is good day, tomorrow you
may drive over 10 town soon after
dinner, and give her ride after the
bays you might as well take the
double wagon, and then they can all
60, II they wish.
Could he believe his ears Did
father Preston trust him like that?
| you can be at the depot In time for
the $3.50 train, to meet john"
1t was very happy boy that went
up to his room that night, and his
dreams were full of the ride that was
| 10 be.
Outside the wind roared loudly, and
few dashes of rain on his window
awakened him.
"Oh what II 1t should rain to.
morrow? Well, they won't be dis.
appointed. for they don't know about
Ii. Won't the fellows stare to see me
drive in III drive round by Stewart s
store, and let Tyler have look at the
team, but he don't get them, not in II
hundred years. I'm 50 glad that John